Sport2010-03-28T07:47:30Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2010:/sport/79Movable TypeCopyright (c) 2010, onlineLIVE blog: 2010 Australian Grand Prix2010-03-28T07:47:30Z2010-03-27T08:59:43Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2010:/sport/79.131942010-03-27T08:59:43ZFollow our LIVE blog coverage of the second race of the 2010 formula one season. Ahead of Sunday's twilight race, local hero Mark Webber was night desperate to hose down the expectations of a nation after steering his car to...onlineonline@theage.com.auGrand Prix
Follow our LIVE blog coverage of the second race of the 2010 formula one season.

Ahead of Sunday's twilight race, local hero Mark Webber was night desperate to hose down the expectations of a nation after steering his car to the front row of the grid, alongside teammate Sebastian Vettel, who qualified in pole position.

Follow all the action as it happens from 4.30pm (AEDT) on Sunday.

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6.42pm Button is over the moon - but the mood will be darker at Red Bull after a disastrous race for Webber and Vettel who shared the front row of the grid.

6.41pm Schumacher rounded out the top 10, ahead of Alguersuari, De la Rosa, Kovalainen and Chandhok was the last classified finisher for HRT in 14th - four laps back.

6.38pm Massa comes home in third ahead of Alonso, Rosberg and Hamilton in sixth. Liuzzi was seventh, ahead of Barrichello and Webber in ninth.

6.37pm Too easy for Button who cruises to his first win this year and his first with McLaren. Kubica is rewarded with second after a brilliant drive.

6.36pm Webber may not want to see the replay for that move. He's pitted.

6.34pm Just three laps to go and Hamilton and Webber spin. Last ditch overtaking moves.

5.56pm Hamilton now all over Kubica. It'll be a McLaren 1-2 before too long, you'd think.

5.54pm Schumacher pits from 11th. There's a dry line on the track and no immediate sign of rain. Still, there's plenty on the radar.

5.52pm Hamilton is now in third and is closing fast on the Renault.

5.50pm Disaster for the young German - was seemingly the only one on the track doing his own thing... Last year's winner Button now leads Kubica - who would have thought?

5.48pm Vettel is out. He's buried it off the track.

5.44pm Vettel leads Button by 5.1 seconds with the big suprise packet Robert Kubica just a couple of seconds behind the McLaren in third. Great pace by the Renault driver.

5.42pm Webber squeezes past Alonso to take seventh.

5.40pm Big scrap developing between Massa, Hamilton, Alonso and Webber with just a few seconds separating the four.

5.38pm Schumacher has climbed to 13th - but there's a massive job ahead for the champ to salvage something from the weekend.

5.34pm Webber's now in eighth behind Alonso - and 18 seconds behind his leading teammate. He'll be hoping for more rain.

5.32pm Webber takes Massa but Hamilton then takes Webber as the Aussie goes off - he's scrambled back onto the track. You can nearly hear the collective moan over the sound of the cars.

5.30pm Vettel is now creeping away from Button and is the fastest man on the track with a 1.31.856. Teams are warning their drivers that 'light' rain is on the way.

5.27pm Button now sits in second ahead of Kubica, Rosberg, Massa, Webber, Hamilton, Barichello, De la Rosa and Alonso has slipped back to tenth.

5.24pm Webber pits and comes back out in fifth.

5.22pm Mark Webber leads his home grand prix as Vettel pits.

5.21pm Red Bulls stay out as the rest of the points runners come in.

5.20pm Action packed start with the Red Bulls leading Massa, Kubica, Rosberg, Hamilton, Barrichello, Petrov, Sutil and De la Rosa rounding out the top 10. There's a scramble for the pits as the rain gets near.

5.18pm Button runs wide but manages to scramble back onto the track. A message on Vettel's radio says that more rain is on the way in 10 minutes.

5.15pm Great scrap between the McLarens as Button holds out Hamilton. Schumacher tries to come back through the field, passing DiGrassi. Webber to second as Button pits.

5.14pm Racing again and Kubica challenges Webber who holds his ground. Kubica's had a fantastic start in his Renault and is a show for some big points this afternoon.

5.09pm So Webber now has Massa between he and Vettel - given the early dramas, he's in with a big shot at a win.

5.06pm It's Vettel, Massa, Webber, Kubica, Rosberg, Button and Hamilton. Replay shows a big, big crash involving Hulkenberg and Kobayashi. Those two are out - as is Buemi and Trulli.

5.05pm Schumacher has limped into the pits and is back out again. Correction - it was Massa who got up into second.

5.03pm Blinder from Kubica who shot to third. Schumacher needs a new front wing. Safety car is out.

4.55pm 5 minutes out and the rain is hanging around. Plenty of activity on the starting grid as final adjustments are made and a Qantas a380 does a flyover. Plenty of rain on the radar.

4.41pm The umbrellas and coats are out... the rain could play havoc with strategies. Vettel has an awesome record in the wet. Will he notch up his first win for the season after the disappointment of Bahrain?

4.34 Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the 2010 Melbourne formula one grand prix from Albert Park. The cars are on their way onto the track - we're about 30 minutes out from the race start.

Will Webber do it? Is Schumacher a chance? Let us know who you think will be first across the line later this afternoon.

One tip - the rain doesn't look like it's too far away.

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Live blog: Kuwait match review2010-01-07T04:29:01Z2010-01-06T22:11:46Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2010:/sport/79.130612010-01-06T22:11:46Z China, Iran, Japan, Bahrain and the UAE all qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup finals overnight, but the Socceroos must wait after conceding a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in Kuwait. And with Oman winning 2-1 in Indonesia, qualification...mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

China, Iran, Japan, Bahrain and the UAE all qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup finals overnight, but the Socceroos must wait after conceding a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in Kuwait.

And with Oman winning 2-1 in Indonesia, qualification is still possible for Group B teams Australia, Kuwait and Oman, although the Socceroos - with a home game still to come against Indonesia in Brisbane in March - would look to have the best chance. After last night's match in Kuwait City, Michael Lynch is in transit back to Australia but will answer your questions during a live blog from Dubai airport! Get online @ 3pm (AEST).

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For the latest comments and answers, click "Refresh" or press F5 on your keyboard

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Live blog: the AFL and the World Cup2010-01-06T22:17:38Z2009-12-10T04:53:42Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.130242009-12-10T04:53:42Z Read here to see what fellow readers, and Dan and Mick had to say about Australia's World Cup bid. Depending who you talk to, the AFL is trying to sabotage Australia's World Cup bid, or it is gamely protecting...onlineonline@theage.com.auLynchpinRead here to see what fellow readers, and Dan and Mick had to say about Australia's World Cup bid. Depending who you talk to, the AFL is trying to sabotage Australia's World Cup bid, or it is gamely protecting its game from a marauding invader. Amidst the hysteria, find the voices of reason, Age experts Michael Lynch and Dan Silkstone.]]>
Live blog: World Cup draw preview2009-12-04T04:04:17Z2009-12-03T21:56:09Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.130132009-12-03T21:56:09Z It's less than one day until the Socceroos will know which nations they will confront in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. On the eve of the keenly-anticipated draw in Cape Town, Age soccer...mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

It's less than one day until the Socceroos will know which nations they will confront in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. On the eve of the keenly-anticipated draw in Cape Town, Age soccer correspondent Michael Lynch will be available to answer your questions about the round-ball code. Quiz Lynchy from 2pm Friday.

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And for complete online coverage of Saturday morning's draw from South Africa, log-on to theage.com.au from 5am (AEDT) for breaking news, analysis and all the details for the biggest sporting event of 2010. ]]>
Live blog: Lynchy's early World Cup preview2009-11-19T04:03:01Z2009-11-19T01:59:26Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.129682009-11-19T01:59:26Z The 32 nations that will fight it out at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa have been determined and Michael Lynch is happy to answer your early questions. After all, the overnight qualifying matches weren't without controversy....mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

The 32 nations that will fight it out at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa have been determined and Michael Lynch is happy to answer your early questions. After all, the overnight qualifying matches weren't without controversy. New Zealand has joined Australia as teams from the southern hemisphere to take to the pitch in June next year. What a tantalising prospect it would be for the Socceroos and Kiwis to be lumped in the same group. But that will be determined next month.

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Live blog: Lynchpin on Friday2009-11-15T08:43:45Z2009-11-12T22:49:16Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.129512009-11-12T22:49:16Z Michael Lynch will be blogging live from 1pm today. Submit your questions to Lynchy now....onlineonline@theage.com.auLynchpin

Michael Lynch will be blogging live from 1pm today. Submit your questions to Lynchy now.

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Live blog: Lynchy on Friday2009-10-30T03:31:56Z2009-10-30T01:07:55Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.129082009-10-30T01:07:55Z Football Federation Australia is seeking urgent talks with billionare mining magnate Clive Palmer, owner of the Gold Coast United, with A-League supremo Archie Fraser hoping to meet with the businessman tomorrow ahead of the club's home fixture against North...mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

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As reported in today's Age, it should be one of the glamour games of round 13, with the Surfers Paradise side entertaining its state rivals led by the competition's highest profile player, Robbie Fowler.

Instead, the game is being ignored as discussion rages about Palmer's extraordinary decision to cap the crowd at Skilled Park to 5000 - an initiative by one of Australia's richest men designed to save money on ground hire and security charges. It is estimated that the move will save $100,000 a game in stadium hire charges.

Let's discuss this issue and other big talking points during today's live blog @ 1:30pm.

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Is Shamoline Warrior bred for the distance?2009-10-29T01:19:50Z2009-10-29T00:45:19Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.129032009-10-29T00:45:19ZAs sure as the sun comes up each morning, there has been much debate again this spring about shortening the Victoria Derby distance from 2500 metres to 2000 metres. The reasons for such a change are based around the fact...aeddyaeddy@theage.com.auFast Eddy
As sure as the sun comes up each morning, there has been much debate again this spring about shortening the Victoria Derby distance from 2500 metres to 2000 metres. The reasons for such a change are based around the fact that many of the competitors have only just turned three years of age and, supposedly, are not mature enough to cope with such a gruelling journey.]]>
The argument for retaining the distance is simply that it is a young horse's first real test of stamina. If you don't like it, don't run your horse in it.

The debate has not been restricted to Australia however. The French Derby was reduced four years ago from 2400 metres to 2100 metres and interestingly, the winner that year was Shamardal, the sire of tomorrow's Victoria Derby favourite Shamoline Warrior.

It got me thinking as to whether Shamoline Warrior is truly bred to stay the distance.

Shamardal was a four-time group 1 winner from 1400m to 2100m. He is by the seven-time group 1 winner Giant's Causeway who won to 2000 metres. His sire was Storm Cat, who's progeny generally were middle distance horses.

Shamoline Warrior is, of course, out of the Dehere mare Picholine, who famously produced Rebel Raider to win last year's Victoria Derby at the odds of $101. Rebel Raider's performance last year was one of a true stayer and he again proved his worth over ground a few months later with his breathtaking SA Derby win.

Rebel Raider however is by Reset, the unbeaten son of champion staying sire Zabeel, who has produced more than 100 stakeswinners of the ilk of elite distance performers Efficient, Might And Power and Octagonal just to name a few.

Last year, Rebel Raider beat Mark Kavanagh's highly-rated Whobegotyou, who interestingly, is by Street Cry, who is a three quarter brother to Shamardal, the sire of Kavanagh's derby hope tomorrow.

All this may mean very little when the gates open tomorrow, but it does make you question whether Shamoline Warrior will be the type of grinding stayer that Rebel Raider is.

His last start win in the Norman Robinson was convincing enough but he really didn't put his competitors away that day as he may have. Gathering and Onemorenomore cut each other's throat out in front and when Shamoline Warrior gathered them in after turning for home, he looked set for a big margin but only scored by a length and a half.

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Live blog: Lynchy on Friday arvo2009-10-23T03:55:00Z2009-10-23T00:07:02Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.128892009-10-23T00:07:02Z Michael Lynch was unable to answer all your questions during today's live blog session. With those questions he missed, he'll attempt to deal with them during next week's blog ... time and day to be determined! The AFL and...mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

Michael Lynch was unable to answer all your questions during today's live blog session. With those questions he missed, he'll attempt to deal with them during next week's blog ... time and day to be determined!

The AFL and National Rugby League will have to shift matches out of Australia's capital cities for up to eight weeks during the winter of 2018 or 2022 if Australia wins the right to host the World Cup in either of these years.

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As reported in The Age today, under FIFA regulations no major competitions can take place in any city hosting World Cup matches for the duration of the tournament, which lasts four weeks. The grounds being used for matches have to be clean of all existing advertising and not used for the four weeks leading up to the competition matches being staged.]]>
El Segundo the one to beat2009-10-21T23:25:33Z2009-10-21T22:59:42Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.128882009-10-21T22:59:42Z Whobegotyou and Heart Of Dreams have been high-up in Cox Plate betting all spring as the in-form four-year-olds have enjoyed trouble-free campaigns. But punters are just starting to have doubts as the race draws closer....aeddyaeddy@theage.com.auFast Eddy

Whobegotyou and Heart Of Dreams have been high-up in Cox Plate betting all spring as the in-form four-year-olds have enjoyed trouble-free campaigns. But punters are just starting to have doubts as the race draws closer.

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The main reason for this is recent history. The Cox Plate has become the domain of the older, race-hardened, proven weight-for-age performer. Last year Maldivian (6YO) and Zipping (7YO) held off the three-year-old Samantha Miss; in 2007 El Segundo (6YO) won and the previous year the nine-year-old Fields Of Omagh won. Makybe Diva was seven when she won in 2005.

The last four winners have had something else in common - excellent previous form at Moonee Valley. It is this liking for the tight, unusual course that is the defining factor. International gallopers don't even both entering for the race anymore because no matter how good they are, the locals with form at the track will beat them every time.

Whobegotyou has won all four races at the track and so deserves to be favourite. Forget what you hear about him being a risk at the trip. The only risk in backing him rests with his class. Is he good enough to beat this even bunch?

The horse he has to beat is El Segundo. With his amazing first-up third in the Aurie's Star he proved that he was over his run of injuries and I doubt he was ever going to be a winning chance in his three subsequent runs. The purpose of them was to get him to this race in the best possible condition.

As for the pair of three-year-olds, I predict So You Think will be a star in the autumn when he is fully grown. He's got powerful shoulders but he still has to fill out behind. Manhattan Rain on the other hand, has little growing left and is as potent as he will ever be.

Manhattan Rain's wide barrier will ensure he has to roll forward and he might find himself perfectly placed come the first turn, whereas So You Think, who was all-at-sea at Moonee Valley at his gallop on Tuesday, will go back and take his chances with the traffic.

So, although I expect So You Think to be among the country's best horses next year, Manhattan Rain is the one that is best placed to take advantage of the weight pull.

Best chances: El Segundo, Whobegotyou. Roughie: Manhattan Rain.

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Best horse does not always win2009-10-14T23:39:11Z2009-10-14T23:16:07Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.128692009-10-14T23:16:07ZThe two international gallopers Kirklees and Cima De Triomphe are all the rage for Saturday's Caulfield Cup for numerous reasons. First and foremost, their European form appears, on paper at least, to be far superior to the local form. But...aeddyaeddy@theage.com.auFast Eddy
The two international gallopers Kirklees and Cima De Triomphe are all the rage for Saturday's Caulfield Cup for numerous reasons. First and foremost, their European form appears, on paper at least, to be far superior to the local form. But there are many factors at work in a Caulfield Cup.]]>
Godolphin's galloper Kirklees is unbeaten in three group races in Europe this season and is a group 1 winner while the Cumani's horse Cima De Triomphe is also a group 1 winner and is well credentialled in that grade running in seven group 1s at his past nine runs in various parts of the world.

But the best horse does not always win the Caulfield Cup. For visitors especially, it can be a real test and not just because they have to quickly acclimatise to southern hemisphere conditions.

On top of that, the race is a handicap and both Kirklees and Cima De Triomphe have done the majority of their races in set weights and weight-for-age racing where there are sometimes pacemakers and other times the race is a simple slow build-up to a frantic finish.

Not this handicap. There is about a 400 metre run to the turn out of the straight and the action for those two furlongs is generally manic as those drawn wide attempt to come across and find a spot close to the rails before that sharp left hand turn.

The race can often turn quickly into a canter once positions are sorted along the back and horses can often over-race with the changing tempo.

As we've seen in recent years, many of the international runners have endured poor luck in the later part of the race also as some horses are tiring and others are surging.

The popularity of Kirklees and Cima De Triomphe this year has been heightened by the fact that Godolphin won the race last year with All The Good. But that horse just happened to be in the right spot - wide and out of trouble - at the right time. Sure he was good enough to finish it off but it did fall into his lap.

Previous internationals tilts at the race did not enjoy the same happy ending. Mad Rush (fourth) in 2008, Purple Moon (sixth) in 2007, Pop Rock (seventh) in 2006 and even Eye Popper (second) in 2005 all found trouble at some stage in the race and were beaten home by inferior horses.

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Live blog: the Oman aftermath2009-10-15T02:32:06Z2009-10-14T21:38:51Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.128682009-10-14T21:38:51Z The only previous time Australia met Oman was in the Asian Cup two years ago and it took a stoppage-time goal from Tim Cahill to spare the Socceroos' blushes and force a draw....mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

The only previous time Australia met Oman was in the Asian Cup two years ago and it took a stoppage-time goal from Tim Cahill to spare the Socceroos' blushes and force a draw.

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Last night the talismanic Sydneysider again broke Omani hearts and spared Australian blushes, the only difference this time being that he struck with 16 minutes remaining and on this occasion the solitary goal was enough to produce a 1-0 win in this crucial Asian Cup qualifier.

It's time to discuss last night's clash at Eithad Stadium and other big issues in the world game during today's live blog @ 12:30pm.

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A day to whet appetites2009-10-07T23:44:08Z2009-10-07T23:40:10Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.128532009-10-07T23:40:10ZFor Australian racing fanatics, it gets no better than Caulfield Guineas day. For, like in many sports, what may happen in the future is sometimes more tantalising than what is occuring in the present. If it often said that the...Edbhegazi@theage.com.auFast Eddy
For Australian racing fanatics, it gets no better than Caulfield Guineas day. For, like in many sports, what may happen in the future is sometimes more tantalising than what is occuring in the present.

If it often said that the best AFL games occur on preliminary weekend where it is not only about the enthralling contest that you are watching, but also about the clash that is pending a week ahead.

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So it is for Guineas day. The race itself has all the elements to satisfy immediate thirst of the racing fan for elite action while also managing to further whet the appetite for the following four weeks of group 1 action.

Races such as the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup are renowned as the best weight-for-age and handicap events in Australia, but mostly they are stand-alone races. Once they are run, they are run. There is one winner and a host of losers with no hope for immediate revenge.

But no so the Caulfield Guineas, or, more accurately, Caulfield Guineas day. The Guineas can preview the best three-year-olds on their way to the Cox Plate while the Yalumba Stakes serves the same purpose for the older horses.

The Toorak, of course, is all about the milers getting ready for races like the $1 million Emirates Stakes at Flemington. Few racing fans would walk across the road to watch a group 2 2400-metre handicap, where there are few headliners. But the Herbert Power is compulsive viewing from a Caulfield Cup, Moonee Valley Cup, Geelong Cup and Melbourne Cup point of view.

So too the Schillaci where the sprinters are being primed for the group 1 Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington.

But let's deal with the present and try to build a bank for the future. The Guineas favourite is Denman and he looks likely to get the run of the race behind the pace - probably set by the Starspangledbanner and Carrara - and so will have every chance to win.

The danger is Bart Cummings' So You Think, who looks something special but is inexperienced and has never raced left-handed.

In the Yalumba, Whobegotyou will be the hot favourite and should win ahead of Heart Of Dreams.

In the Toorak, Racing To Win has plenty of weight but for good reason. He should be ideally suited in a hotly-contested handicap where the pace will be true.

Andrew Eddy

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Live blog: Lynchy on Thursday2009-10-08T03:49:18Z2009-10-07T21:54:58Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.128522009-10-07T21:54:58Z Melbourne Victory chairman Geoff Lord is an easy target for soccer aficionados to take pot shots at. The diminutive and pugnacious businessman makes no pretence that he is an expert on the game and is honest enough to admit...mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

Melbourne Victory chairman Geoff Lord is an easy target for soccer aficionados to take pot shots at. The diminutive and pugnacious businessman makes no pretence that he is an expert on the game and is honest enough to admit that he is still learning the finer details of the offside rule, the difference between a flat back four and a back three and the challenges faced by a lone striker.

(Michael Lynch will be doing a live blog @ 1pm today)

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But that doesn't mean he can't sometimes come up with some good observations about the game and its future. Indeed, sometimes those close to the action can't see the wood for the trees, or are so locked into their preconceived views that they don't realise that things can be changed for the better.

While we must take Lord's comments on Melbourne's new A-League team - whom he rather humorously dubbed ''Melbourne Heartless'' - with a pinch of salt, his take on the timing of the A-League season start is well worth considering.

Michael Lynch

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Live blog: Lynchy on Friday2009-10-02T06:55:02Z2009-10-01T22:35:40Ztag:blogs.theage.com.au,2009:/sport/79.128262009-10-01T22:35:40Z The clash with Holland in Sydney tomorrow week might be the glamour game in the Socceroos' two-match program in front of their fans this month, but it's not the one that is really important. That comes four days later,...mlynchbhegazi@theage.com.auLynchpin

The clash with Holland in Sydney tomorrow week might be the glamour game in the Socceroos' two-match program in front of their fans this month, but it's not the one that is really important. That comes four days later, in Melbourne, when Australia faces Oman in a must-win Asian Cup qualifier. And while Pim Verbeek will be grateful to have a raft of big-name players back in harnessagainst the Netherlands on October 10, it is in the game against the Middle Eastern nation the following Wednesday that they will be needed. Discuss the Socceroos and other big issues @ 1pm, Friday 2 October.